Ballet has been a popular art form for centuries and has its origins in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th and 16th centuries. The French court of Louis XIV was particularly influential in the development of ballet, and it was during his reign that ballet began to be associated with France.
The Italian Influence
Ballet as we know it today is a combination of various dance forms from Italy, including courtly dances such as the chaconne and the galliard. These dances were performed by members of the court in Italy, and they were often accompanied by live music. During this period, dancers were not just performers but also used their talents to display their social status.
The French Court
In 1643, Louis XIV founded the Académie Royale de Danse (Royal Academy of Dance). This academy was responsible for codifying and standardizing dance forms, which had previously been a matter of personal interpretation.
The academy also created a syllabus of steps that all dancers had to follow when performing a ballet. This standardized approach to dancing was very influential in France, and it soon spread to other European courts.
The Development Of Ballet In France
In order to further refine and standardize ballet, Louis XIV appointed Jean-Baptiste Lully as director of his court’s music department in 1661. Lully introduced musical elements such as melody and harmony into ballets, making them more complex than they had been before. He also composed many ballets for the King himself, which further popularized this art form at court.
The Popularity Of Ballet
By the 18th century, ballet had become extremely popular throughout Europe due to its combination of music and dance. The Paris Opera Ballet was founded in 1713, making it one of the oldest professional ballet companies in existence today. This company helped spread French-style ballet across Europe and beyond as its dancers toured extensively throughout Europe and even into North America during this period.
Conclusion
Ballet became associated with France due to its influence on the French court during Louis XIV’s reign in the 17th century. The Royal Academy of Dance standardized dance forms while Jean-Baptiste Lully introduced musical elements into ballets making them more complex than ever before. It eventually became an international sensation due to tours put on by its most famous professional ballet company – The Paris Opera Ballet – which continues to thrive today.